Dr Hoad said: "Neuroplasticity describes the processes by
which the brain may change to improve its performance. Elite athletes
have mastered neuroplastic change through training to perfect a movement
or skill. We use simple brain stimulation and imaging techniques to
observe these changes in the brain. The lessons learned from studying
elite athletes then help us to develop stimulation protocols for
treating patients with brain injuries."

Second prize went to PhD student Dorina Cadar, from UCL
Epidemiology and Public Health, for her poster entitled 'Is the freedom
from cognitive impairment really at hand? An investigation between
alcohol consumption and cognitive decline'.